more widespread than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more widespread than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the extent or prevalence of something in relation to another thing. Example: "The use of smartphones is more widespread than that of traditional cell phones in today's society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Middle Eastern Virus More Widespread Than Thought.

Science Magazine

"It's much more widespread than anyone believes".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It seems more widespread than anywhere else".

The Guardian

"Dementia is also much more widespread than people realise.

The Guardian

Calls for withdrawal are more widespread than ever before.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's also much more widespread than was previously believed.

The New Yorker

The gatekeeper was also more widespread than in 2011.

The Guardian

Still, this is probably more widespread than we think".

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, it remains more widespread than popular.

The Economist

It's an enormous problem, far more widespread than most Americans realize.

The New York Times

But both of these thoughts are probably more widespread than we'd like to imagine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the prevalence of two phenomena, ensure that the comparison is clear and specific. Instead of simply stating something is "more widespread than" something else, quantify or provide context to illustrate the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "more widespread than" without providing specific evidence or context. An unsupported claim can weaken your argument and make it seem less credible. Always back up your assertion with data or examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more widespread than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing is distributed over a larger area or found in a greater number of places than another. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the correct usage of the phrase and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more widespread than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to effectively compare the prevalence or distribution of two subjects, indicating that one is more common or covers a larger area. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into news, scientific, and formal contexts. Its widespread use is evident from the numerous examples across reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, further solidifying its reliability in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more prevalent than

Replaces "widespread" with "prevalent", emphasizing the commonness of something.

more common than

Substitutes "widespread" with "common", focusing on the frequency of occurrence.

more extensive than

Replaces "widespread" with "extensive", highlighting the breadth of coverage.

more pervasive than

Uses "pervasive" instead of "widespread" to suggest a deeper, more penetrating spread.

more far-reaching than

Emphasizes the scope of influence or impact compared to "more widespread than".

more ubiquitous than

Replaces "widespread" with "ubiquitous", implying near-universal presence.

more rampant than

Suggests an uncontrolled or flourishing spread, differing slightly in connotation.

on a larger scale than

Uses a different structure to convey a greater extent or scope.

more broadly distributed than

Replaces "widespread" with a more descriptive phrase about distribution.

more globally recognized than

Shifts the focus to recognition and global awareness, a specific type of spread.

FAQs

How can I use "more widespread than" in a sentence?

Use "more widespread than" to compare the prevalence or extent of something relative to something else. For example, "The use of smartphones is "more widespread than" the use of landlines".

What are some alternatives to using "more widespread than"?

You can use alternatives like "more prevalent than", "more common than", or "more extensive than" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "more widespread than" or "more wide-spread than"?

"More widespread than" is the correct and commonly accepted form. "Wide-spread" is sometimes seen, but "widespread" is generally written as one word.

What's the difference between "more widespread than" and "more popular than"?

"More widespread than" refers to the extent or distribution of something, while "more popular than" indicates greater favor or liking. Something can be widespread without being popular, and vice versa.